Puppymill lament

they way I understand it is about sales of pets in the pet stores. Since no responsible breeder will sell their pups via the pet store I do not see the problem. If you have any info otherwise, please let me know, I am curios if I misread something.
 
I have not seen the bill, or how it was written, I was just taking it on the excerpt you had posted...personally I would have liked to see it leave all that wording out and just downright outlaw selling of animals in a retail setting. I would like to see where the cities/towns that are granting these "pet" stores their licenses to revoke them from selling dogs/cats..and viola puppymill problem 70% solved...ofcourse there is still the 30% or more that takes place online...and that is slightly harder to cut down on...but it does to some extent cut down on the impulse buying....atleast you have to wait for your dog to be shipped online.....:rolleyes2:
 
Unfortunately, the public doesn't know how to differentiate between a puppy mill and an ethical breeder. The "Don't shop; adopt" campaign has worked very well, but I think ethical breeders are getting lumped in with unethical breeders and puppy mills. No pet stores in Thunder Bay sell dogs - one tried, and it was shut down within a year due to protests outside every weekend. We need a new campaign to promote both adoption and ethical breeding...now we just need a slogan.
 
Jaynie said:
May these people rot. I see the outcome of their cruelty daily. I cannot look at Bela and not remember how she was when I got her from rescue - afraid to look any human in the face, flinching from any human touch. Her sweet Sheltie spirit almost crushed to death.

It just shows how resilient the canine spirit truly is - that she now can look me in the face, and actually be glad to see me when I've been gone for a few minutes. That she doesn't flinch whenever she feels a hand on her. That she now sucks up being petted like a thirsty sponge and cuddles up close to watch tv with me.

But in some things, I fear, she will always show some quirks of her unhapppy puppy mill years. She won't eat or drink unless she has complete privacy (if you look at her, she'll slink away). She does not bark - she is completely silent (except for some exceedingly unladylike burps). Her beautiful Sheltie-flag, her white-tipped tail does not wave happily. It merely lies still or is tucked up underneath as if she is ashamed of it. She does not know what toys are for or how to play. She trembles at any unusual sound and hides under the bed at thunder. When anything unusual is going on in the house, she runs for her crate in fear.

Someday, maybe her tail will wag, and she'll give me one of those beautific Sheltie smiles. I won't give up on her. She has already come so far in three months. But even if she never improves another lick, she'll still be my baby girl, my constant companion, my valued friend.

I wish the puppy mill people could just experience 24 hours of the fear that Bela had when she came to live with me. Just 24 hours to experience that, knowing the reason why. This is not "just a dog" you are providing for - yes, food, water, medical care are all important. But what you don't realize is that the neglect and lack of social contact you inflict on these sensitive creatures is a far worse hell sometimes than any physical deprivation. You are not just breeding dogs in this manner - you are breeding pure, unadulterated, reasonless, unfanthomable fear.
Click to expand...

Janie -your post broke my heart. It sounded like you were talking about "our" puppy mill dog 'Jack".
But -have faith! Jack exhibited all those traits & is making HUGE progress. We've had him for 7 months now & he actually acts like a normal happy dog on occasion. It's just a matter of time patience & lotsa love & attention. FYI -Jack bit me 4 times in the first 3 weeks we had him -I don't think that thought even enters his mind anymore. Getting better everyday & I'm sure bela will too! good luck with her,
 
Bela has come a long way since I wrote that. She's now been with me for six months. In the past week, she's been improving by leaps and bounds.

The hubs and I adopted a second dog (a JRTerror mix - no, that's not a typo :rolleyes2:) named Gracie about three weeks ago. She is the polar opposite of Bela in personality - never afraid of anything, and always going high-speed, flat-out.

They are good friends for each other, and even sleep together on occasion. Bela taught Gracie some good manners by showing her teeth a couple of times, but they get along great. And last weekend, I witnessed a miracle - Bela barked and play-bowed for the first time since she's been with us!

She is beginning to smile that precious Sheltie smile, and has relaxed considerably. I have hopes that someday, she'll forget all about her years of neglect, and only look forward to her next adventure. She's learned to love riding in the car, and the "joys" of getting fall leaves caught in her belly fur. I suspect she'll always be skittish, but she's beginning to enjoy life as never before, I suspect.
 
Awesome!

that's great news. Another dog in the house that speaks "the language" certainly helps. we have four shelties & the three adults have certainly been a big help training Jack.
As long & hard as the road to recovery can be - the results are just SO heartwarming! good luck with Bela.
 
A really heartbreaking thread in parts. The original poem and Jaynie's story of Bela really hurt. But there is hope when pups are rescued from cruelty and given love, like Bela is. Good luck with Bela, I'm sure she wil become the happy and normal pup you deserve.
 
David, don't let Bela's story bring you down, for it is one of the triumphs of kindness over cruelty! And there is (and always will be, I hope) a happy future for her!

In the past month, Bela has become a "real" dog. She enjoys the dog park, her sister Gracie's company, barks joyously, smiles, wags her tail, and is trying her best to learn to play!

She's still not very good with people other than myself (though she LOVES children of about 8-10 years old, oddly) but there is no more hiding under the bed during thunderstorms. There is no more running for the crate in terror at the sound of someone putting dishes into the dishwasher.

She is still afraid of the sound her collar tag makes against either metal or crockery bowls. She still won't jump up on the bed, but has no problem jumping on the sofa in the den.

But she will always bear the results of her awful first five years. Her teeth, for example. Some are broken, and two are actually worn away, my vet says, from chewing on a metal cage. She has a long scar on one ear probably from another dog attacking her.

She came to me with her fabulous Sheltie coat shorn down to about 1 inch all over. It was starting to grow out from the shaving she had to have when she came into Sheltie Rescue. Even now, her coat isn't what it should be.

No dog should have to go through what my Bela had had to. Gracie, too, was a rescue, but was taken in as a stray. She is the polar opposite of Bela, and has been the best thing for Bela's recovery.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top